Label affixing machine



May 15, 1951 v. LoBAssd LABEL AFFIXING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 11, 1950 INVENTOR i all =I y 1951 v. LOBASSO 2,553,057

LABEL AFFIXING MACHINE Filed Aug. 11, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR VINCENT LobAsSo ATTORNEY May 15, 1951 v. LOBASSO 2,553,057

LABEL AFFIXING momma: v Filed Au 11, 1950. 4 Sheets-Sheet s FIG. 5. FIGS.

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I l 7/ i 864 85a INVENTOR vmcam LOBASSO Mayl5, 1951 v. LOBASSO 2,553,057

I LABEL AFFIXING imam: Filed Aug. 11, 1950 -4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y FIG. 9.-

v INVENTOR. V/NCE/VT' L OBASSO Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in label affixing machines, and, more especially, to improvements in machines for applying labels about readily deformable articles such as balls of yarn, twine and the like.

In my Patent No. 2, 04=,993,v issued April 25, 1950, there is disclosed a machine for applying labels about readily deformable articles, which machine includes specially designed holder elements preventing excessive deformation of the article during the label aflixing operation. The holder elements are mounted on an intermittently actuated chain or wheel conveyor and the articles to be labeled are successively conveyed to a label aflixing station where a label is eX- tended about both the article and the holder element upon which it is supported, the labeled article being subsequently ejected from its holder element at a point remote from the label aifixing station by a throwout or ejection: mechanism.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 111,- 138, filed August 19, 1949, there are: disclosed certain improvements over my above-identified patent, including improved design of holder elements, ejection mechanism and novel cushioning or stop means serving for more accurate and efficient alignment at the label affixing station of the loaded holder elements carried on the-intermittently actuated conveyor of the machine. The present application is' concerned with further improvements over the devices described in my above identified patent and co-pending application and constitutes a continuation-impart of my co-pending application.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a label afiiXin-g machine which is specifically designed to utilize the deformable characteristics of the article to be labeled as a positive and advantageous factor insuring rapid, secure and efiicient labeling, such deformability having been considered troublesome, disadvantageous and a factor to be neutralized or overcome mechanically in previous attempts'to devise a machine for labeling deformable articles.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision of a machine of the character indicated wherein a label may be extended about a deformable article retained upon its holder element at the label affixing station of the machine, after which a pair of reciprocating guides or jaw members press against opposite portions of the label. to compress or deform the article somewhat and cause the label to conform closely to the contour of the article prior to securing the ends ofthe label together.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine of the character indicated having improved ejection. mechanism adapted to act simultaneously upon both the secured label and the deformable article retained upon the holder element in order to more expeditiously eject the labeled article from the holder element.

The foregoing objects as well as additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent in the course of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of. the invention, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a portion of a machine embodying the features of the invention and illustrates the reciprocating jaw members disposed at the label affixing station. thereof;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of one of the improved holder elements;

Fig. 5 is a bottom. plan view of the holder element;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the holder element;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the improved ejector mechanism disposed at the electing station of the machine; and

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the ejector mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the machine embodying the features of the invention.

The drawings illustrate only those novel elements of the label affixing machine which constitute improvements over my Patent No. 2,504,- 993 and my co-pending application Serial No. 111,138, previously referred to.

It will be understood that the machine may embody the features disclosed in my Patent No. 2,504,993 and my copending application with re spect to the arrangement for feeding the articles successively to the label affixing station of the machine and with respect to the arrangement for actuating the ejector mechanism at the ejecting station of the machine. By way of summary it will be stated that the present invention contemplates the use of an intermittently actuated conveyor system or equivalent including a plu rality of individual holder elements upon which the deformable articles to be labeled may be supported. Each article supported on a respective holder element is conveyed in a stepwise manner to the label affixing station where a label is extended about both the article and the M holder arms during the rest period of the conveyor. Each holder element is preferably provided with an auxiliary retaining member or arm which is normally urged against the upper tiltable holder arm. Trip means are provided in order to assure automatic elevation of the auxiliary retaining member when a given holder element is disposed at the label affixing station of the machine so that the label may be properly and unobstructedly applied about the article and the main upper and lower holder arms. After the label has been applied and the overlapping ends of the label have been secured together, the labeled article on its holder element moves away from the afiixing station and the auxiliary holding member operates to maintain the overlapped ends of the label in secure engagement during the interval of movement of the conveyor between the label affixing station and the ejecting station of the machine. The mechanism for extending, overlapping and securing the label is described in my Patent No. 2,179,264, issued November 7, 1939 and will not be detailed here since it does not form the subject matter of the present invention.

A major feature of the present invention resides in specifically designing the machine to utilize the deformable characteristics of the article to be labeled as a positive and advantageous factor insuring rapid, secure and efficient labeling. It is well known to those skilled in the art that the application of labels to deformable articles such as balls of yarn presents special problems and difiiculties which are not encountered with relatively rigid and shape-sustaining articles since the former are readily distorted and do not ordinarily retain a fixed, predetermined shape allowing a label to be extended thereabout and to be firmly retained thereon. The present invention overcomes the problem of deformability by the provision at the label afiixing station of a pair of reciprocating guides or jaw members which are adapted initially to retain a label pending the arrival at the'affixing station of a holder element loaded with a deformable article, and subsequently to press against opposite portions of the label extended circumferentially about the article to compress or deform the article somewhat, thereby causing the label to conform closely to the slightly reduced contour of the article prior to securing the overlapped ends of the label together. Upon retraction of the jaw members after the ends of the label have been secured together, the article will expand slightly with the result that the label will be securely retained in affixed position.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved ejector mechanism adapted to act simultaneously upon both the secured label and the deformable article retained upon the holder element in order to more expeditiously eject the labeled article from the holder element.

The foregoing features as well as additional features of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawing which illustrate the construction and operation of the reciprocating guides or jaw members disposed at the label afiixing station of the machine, the machine includes a pair of fixed frame elements I through each of which extend a pair of hollow sleeves or guides I I fixed in position by set screws I2. Spaced inwardly of frame the machine.

4 elements In and adjustably retained on sleeves I I by means of set screws I3 are a pair of mounting or spacing blocks I4.

A pair of reciprocating jaw members, generally designated by reference numeral IS, are disposed at the label affixing station of the machine and said jaw members are arranged to reciprocate during the rest period of the machine conveyor (not shown) when a holder element H carrying a deformable article such as a yarn ball Y is disposed between said jaw members at the labeling station of the machine, as shown in Fig. 3. Each of the jaw members I5 may comprise a vertical mounting plate It to which is firmly secured a pair of rods I1 slidably retained within hollow sleeves II. At their outer ends rods I? are rigidly interconnected to move in unison by means of a cross bar or connecting bar l8. Jaw members I5 are normally urged apart against mounting blocks I4 in the position of Figs. 1 and 2 by means of compression springs I9 interposed on each rod I1 between cross bar i8 and the outer end of a respective sleeve I I.

A companion plate 20 is preferably welded to each vertical mounting plate I6 in order to serve for retaining a hinge plate 2I. Hinge plates or deflector plates 2I are normally retained in substantially horizontal position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by means of relatively light tension springs 22. Each hinge plate 2I is preferably provided at its front and rear portion with an integral lateral extension 2Ia adapted to be retained against recessed terminal abutment shoulders Ma formed in mounting blocks I4. In order to cushion the return movement of hinge plates 2I under the influence of return springs 22 after the passage of a labeled article on its holder elements from the label afijxing station of the machine, each abutment shoulder may be provided with a spring-backed plunger 23 to take up the impact of hinge plate extension 2 la, as best shown in Fig. 2.

The advancement and retraction of reciprocable jaw members I5 may be controlled in any desired manner, as bymeans of a cam 30 (see Fig. 1) mounted on cam shaft 3| and which actuates a rocker arm 32 carrying a follower 33 constantly urged against said cam by means of a spring (not shown). It will be understood that rocker arm 32 may be pivoted at its lower end to a fixed frame portion of the machine and is operatively connected at its upper end to a reciprocating bar 34 suitably mounted on the frame of As seen in Fig. 1 reciprocating bar 34 is provided at its end opposite rocker arm 32 with an angularly inclined extension or arm 35. Extension 35 is of suitable length and shape to terminate substantially intermediate cross bar I8 controlling jaw member I5 on the left side of the machine in the normally separated position of jaw members I5 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. A roller 36 is preferably carried at the free end of extension 35 in order to abut left-hand cross bar I8 and urge said cross bar and left-hand jaw member I5 inwardly when reciprocating bar 34 is moved to the right as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

Simultaneously with the advancement oflefthand jaw member I5 in the manner described, the right-hand jaw member I5 is caused to advance or move inwardly toward said left-hand jaw member. For this purpose a connecting lever 31 is pivoted intermediate its ends at 310. to a fixed frame bracket 38, as shown in Fig. 1 and is also pivoted at its forward end at 39 to a horianemone zontalextension.40 ofreciprocating bar 3:4 Lever 3-1. is of sufficient. length. to terminate substantially intermediate right-hand cross bar. It and carries a. roller 4| in order. to abut and urge said-.right-hand' cross bar l8 and right-hand. jaw member I 5 inwardly simultaneously with the advancement of left-hand jaw member 15.

By reason of the novel construction and arrangement of the present. invention, hinge plates 2 I of jaw members l5 are normally held in horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby serv ing to retain a. label at the labelaflixing station pending. the arrivalthereat of a holder element H. loaded with a yarnball Y or the like. As the loaded holder element H is brought. toits rest position at the label aflixingstation of the ma-- chine,. hingeplatesZl are progressively deflected downwardly until they finally assume a sub stantially vertical position: coplanar with the plates 20,. as clearly shown in Fig. 3; At this point in the operation of the machine. cam is actuated in order to urge jaw members E5 together, thereby compressing. the yarn ball. Y and simultaneously pressing against. opposite sides of the partially extended label L to cause the label. to conform closely to the slightly reduced contour of. the yarn ball prior to securing the overlapped ends of the labeltogether. Upon retraction of the jaw members 15 after the ends of thelabelhave been secured together, the yarn. ball will. expand slightly with the. result that the labelwill be-securely retained in affixes position.

In order to assure unobstructed passage of. the labeled article on its holder. element from the label aflixing station, means are provided. for temporarily arresting the return movement. of hinge plates 2.!. to the normally elevated, sub.- stantially horizontal. position of Fig. 2. For this purpose each hinge plate 2| is provided on. its underside with a bracket d5. carrying. a laterally extending pin. 46.. A left-hand angular hook member 41 and a right-hand angular hook member 48 are arranged in such a manner as to engage the pins 45 of respective hinge plates 2! when said hinge plates assume their completely deflected vertical position of Fig. 3. Hook members 47 and 48 may be pivotally supported on bracket members 49 secured to respective mounting plates l6 of jaw members I 5. Left-hand hook member 4"! is. normally urgeddownwardly in a' clockwise direction by means of a tension spring 58 and right-hand. hook member 4t is normally urged upwardly in a clockwise direction by means of a tension spring 51. Each of the hook members 41 and 43 is provided with a laterally extending trip rod 41a and 48a which extends into' operative engagement with depending abutment members E'Zformed on a slidablehorizontal releasing or trip bar' 53 suitably mounted on the frame of the machine. Trip bar" 53 is operatively connected at one end as by'means' of a pin 54' with a slot 55 formed in a. rocker arm 56- which may be pivoted at: its' lower end (not shown) to the frame of the machine. said rocker arm and trip bar are actuated by a releasing'cam 5'!v mounted on cam shaft 31' in order to movehook members 41 and 48 out of restraining engagement with respective pins 46' of hinge plates 25 thereby causing said hinge plates to move from their completely deflected position. of Fig. 3 to their normally elevated, substantially horizontal position of Fig. 2. Rocker arm- 55 carries a follower 58 which is maintained in constant abu ting engagement with releasing cam 5'! by means ofsatensionspring; 59- (see Fig. 2')v interconnectisaidrocker arm with. the. frame at the: machine. It will he understood that, the actuationof. trip. bar. 53: will urge the depending: abutment. members: 52 against trip rods; 41a and 48a of hook members. 41 and 48 and will move said hookmembers outoftrestraining engagement. with respectivepins: 46 of. hinge plates 2 I. by overcoming the tension of. springs 54 and 5lrespectively. Phe timing of. releasing cam; 51 isso-synchronized with the: movement of the holder. elements H thatrelease-of hook members 41 and 48 will occur only after a given. holder element H containing a labeled article has passed from the label atii-xing station and. cleared the lower extremities of the completely deflected; hinge plates 2 l.

Referring now to=Figs.. 4-,, 5 and 6,,my improved holder element. H" includesa mainplate 65, which may besuitably secured to a-conveyo-r mechanism (not shown), alower adjustable arm 66 slidably mounted. onsaid. main plate and a tiltable upper arm: 67- pivotally mounted onsaid. main plate at es by means of a rearward extension 61w which carries at itsfree end a roller'fi9 adapted to' be engaged" bysuitable auxiliary means (not shown) for elevation of said upper. arm during, loadingof the holder element and for'lowering said upper arm to closed position whenthe loaded holder element arrives atthe label afiixed station. of. the machine; Such auxiliary means have been described in my Patent No. 2,504,993 andmy copcnding. application previouslyreferred: toandwill notbe detailed here since? theydo not-constitute the subject. matter of: thepresent invention.

Each holder element. is preferably provided with a slida'blespacer or piston! member 1.0- for varying the effectiverdepth: of eachholder element inorder to accommodate articles of varying. size. Each holderelementisv further provided with an auxiliary pivoted retainingv member or hold-down. bar i! which is normally urged downwardly against the upper tiltable holder arm 61, a-s by'means. of a spring 12, and said hold-down arm. (which: must be elevated during the application. of the label. at the affixing station. as shown. in Fig. 3 serves to retain the'secure overlapped ends. of the label in position duringthe interval of movement of the holder element from the label afiixing: to the ejecting stations of the machine.

Ihe adjustability' of lower arm 66 may be achieved by mounting said arm on: a: rearward extension 66a slidably retained in a slot 1-3- of main plate 555: A threaded shank 7:4 depends from extension 66a into operative engagement with a threaded. nut or wheel 15 retained within laoera-l opposed notches it formed in main plate Thus. lower arm 66 may be adjusted to the desiredlevel depending upon the size of the article being labeled! by.- manipulating the knurled wheel is. As best. seen. in 5, lower arm- 66; is preferably provided on its underside with; a. plurality of longitudinal corrugations: ll serving toelimina-te' lippage and to assure accurate positioning of the label L: as itis extended about the. holder element H and the yarnball Y at the label affixing' station of. the machine. For similar reasons upper arm 61 is preferably provided with a centrally' disposed friction pad: E8 of synthetic plastic or. other suitable material inorder to assure. proper align-ment of the. overlapped ends of. the. label.

Another feature of thepresent-invention resides in the-novel construction of the upper arm 61 of the holder. element with a pair of lateral hinge leaves or. plates which cooperate with the movable jaw members l5 during; compressionoi the: de-

formable yarn ball Y and extension of the label L thereabout. A best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, upper arm 6? comprises a central portion 19 and a pair of lateral hinge leaves 80 pivotally mounted thereon. A light tension spring 8| interconnects said hinge leaves and serves to normallyre'tain them in the inoperative position of Fig.4. However when the yarn ball is compressed by movable jaw members l during the application of the label as shown in Fig. 3, hinge leaves 80 are defiected downwardly against the yarn ball.

Figs. '7 and 8 illustrate an improved ejection mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral 85, for removing labeled articles from holder elements H, said ejection mechanism being operative at a point remote from the label afiixing station of the machine. Ejection mechanism 85 includes a slidable member or carriage 85 suitably mounted on the frame of the machine for reciprocation toward and away from a loaded holder element H disposed at the ejecting station of the machine. The reciprocation of the slidable carriage 86 may be accomplished substantially in the manner described in my aforementioned co-pending application or in any other suitable manner. Carriage 86 preferably comprises as an integral structure a pair of side members 86a, a central sleeve-guide 86b and a pair of cam-guides 860 having upwardly divergent extensions 86d. A T-shaped ejector support 8'! is slidably retained in sleeve-guide 86b for reciprocation in a vertical path from the lower inoperative position indicated in dotted outline in Fig. '7 to the elevated operative position indicated in full lines in Figs. '7 and 8. Cross member 81a of ejector support 8'! carries at its extremities a pair of pivotally mounted ejector arms 88 normally urged toward each other in the position of Fig.7 by means of a tension spring 89. The lower ends of ejector arms 88 carry followers or pins 90 engageable against cam-guides 850 of carriage 86 during the retraction of ejector support 81 to the dotted line position of Fig. 7.

Ejector arms 88 are designed and constructed in such a manner as to act simultaneously on the yarn ball Y retained on the holder element as well as upon the secured label L in order to more efficiently eject the labeled yarn ball. For this purpose said ejector arms are curved at their upper ends to conform to the contour of upper arm 61 of holder element 1-! and carry at their extremities resilient gripping elements 95 which may take the form of rubber friction pads or the like adapted to overlie and grip the overlapped secured ends of the label. Ejector arms 88 are further provided intermediate their ends with rearwardly and inwardly projecting gripping elements 92 adapted to grip simultaneously the yarn ball or other deformable article and the edges of the label secured thereabout. Ejector support 8'! is preferably provided with an auxiliary resilient gripping element 93 or rubber pad adapted to underlie and grip the lower portion of the secured label which is retained against lower arm 65 of holder element H. Gripping element 93 may be carried at the upper end of a spring-backed plunger 94 retained in a holder 95 secured to ejector support 81. It will be understood that with the ejector arms 88 in operative elevated gripping position as described above and shown in Figs. '7 and 8, movement of slidable carriage 86 away from the ejecting station (or to the right as seen in Fig. 8) will be effective toremove the labeled yarn ball from its holder element H. vSince certain modifications may be made in the label afiixing machine of the present invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawing be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a label affixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a plurality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween while a, label is being extended about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, and a pair of reeiprocable jaw members defining the label afiixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a, partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article.

2. In a label affixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a plurality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween while a label is being extended about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, and a pair of reeiprocable jaw members defining the label afiixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, the upper arm of each holder element comprising a fixed central portion and a pair of pivotally mounted side portions engageable by said reeiprocable jaw members during the compression of the deformable article and the extension of the label thereabout.

3. In a label aflixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a plurality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween while a label is being extended about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, a pair of reeiprocable jaw members defining the label affixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed'portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, and ejection means operable to remove a labeled article from its supported position on a holder element at a point remote from the label affixing station, said ejection means comprising a pair of pivoted ejector elements having gripping members acting simultaneously on the deformable article and upon portions of the secured label retained against the upper and lower arms of the holder element.

4. In a label affixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a, plurality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween while a label is being extended about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, a pair of reeiprocable jaw members defining the label affixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress 79 the deformable arti-cle, the upper arm of each holder element comprising a fixed central portion and a pair of pivo'tally mounted side portions engageable by said reciprocable jaw members during the compression of the deformable article and the extension of the label thereabout, and ejection means operable to remove a labeled article from its supported position of a holder element at a point remote from the label aflixing station, said ejection meanscomprising a pair of pivoted ejector elements having gripping members acting simultaneously on the deformable article and upon portions of the secured label ree tained against the upper and lower arms of the holder element.

5. In a label affixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the bod-y of a deformable article, a plurality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween while a label is being extended-about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, and a pair of reciprocable jaw members defining the label aflixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, each of said jaw members having a pivoted hinge member normally maintained in substantially horizontal position for reception of a label (and defiectable to substantially vertical position'upon movement of a loaded holder element to the label aifixing station.

6. In a label afiixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a plurality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween while a label is being extended about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, and a pair of reciprocable jaw members defining the label affixing station of the machine and adapted to pressopposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, the upper arm of each holder element comprising a fixed central portion and pair of pivotally mounted side portions engageable by said reciprocable jaw members during the compression of the deformable article and the extension of the label thereabout, each of said jaw members having a pivoted hinge member normally maintained in substantially horizontal position for reception of a label and defiectable to substantially vertical position upon movement of a loaded holder element to the label afiixing station.

7. In a label afiixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a plurality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween While a label is being extended about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, a pair of reciprocable jaw members defining the label afiixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, and ejection means operable to remove a labeled article from its supported position on a holder element at a point remote from the label affl-xing station, said .ejection means comprising a pair of pivoted ejector elements having gripping members acting simultaneously on the deform.- able article and upon portions of the .secured label retained against the upper and lower arms of the holder element, each of said jaw members having a pivoted hinge member normally main:- tained in substantially horizontal position for re.-, ception of a label and defiectable to substantially vertical position upon movementof a loaded hold:- erelement to the labelaffixing station.

*8. In a label afiixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body-of a deformable article, a plural.- ity of holderelements havinga pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween while :a label is being extended about saidarticle and said holder arms by said label applying means, a pair of reciprocable jaw members definin the labelaffixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions-of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, the upper arm of each holder element comprising a fixed central portion and a pair of pivotally mounted side portions engageable by said reciprocable jaw members during the compression of the deformable article and the extension of the label thereabout, and jection means operable to remove a labeled article from .itssupported position on a holder element .at a .point remote from the'label affixing station, said ejection means comprising a pair of pivoted ejector elements having grippingmembers acting-simultaneousl on the deformable article and upon portions of the secured label retained against the upper and lower arms of .thezholder element, each of said jaw members having a pivoted hinge member normally maintained in substantially horizontal position for reception of a label and defiectable to substantially vertical position upon movement of a loaded holder element .to .the label affixing station.

'9. Ina label affixing machine'of the 'typehaving means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a .plurality of holder elements havin a pair of upper and lower .arms for retaining an article therebetween while a label is being extended about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, and a pair of reciprocable jaw members defining the label aifixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, each of said jaw members having a pivoted hinge member normally maintained in substantially horizontal position for reception of a label and defiectable to substantially vertical position upon movement of a loaded holder element to the label affixing station, and means for temporarily arresting said hinge members in deflected vertical position pending passage of a labeled article on its holder element from the label affixing station.

10. In a label afiixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a plurality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween while a label is being extended about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, and a pair of reciprocable jaw members defining the label affixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, the upper arm of each'holder element comprising a fixed central portion and a pair of pivotally mounted side portions engageable by said reciprocable jaw members during the compression of the deformable article and the extension of the label thereabout, each of said jaw members having a pivoted hinge member normally maintained in substantially horizontal position for reception of a label and deflectable to substantially vertical position upon movement of a loaded holder element to the label aifixing station, and means for temporarily arresting said hinge members in deflected vertical position pending passage of a labeled article on its holder element from the label affixing station.

11. In a label afiixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a plurality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween While a label is being extended about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, a pair of reciprocable jaw members defining the label afiixing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, and ejection means operable to remove a labeled article from its supported position on a holder element at a point remote from the label affixing station, said ejection means comprising a pair of pivoted ejector elements having gripping members acting simultaneously on the deformable article and upon portions of the secured label retained against the upper and lower arms of the holder element, each of said jaw members having a pivoted hinge member normally maintained in substantially horizontal position for reception of a label and defiectable to substantially vertical position upon movement of a loaded holder element to the label afiixing station, and means for temporarily arresting said hinge members in deflected vertical position 12 pending passage of a labeled article on its holder element from the label affixing station."

12. In a label affixing machine of the type having means for applying labels circumferentially about the body of a deformable article, a plu-'- rality of holder elements having a pair of upper and lower arms for retaining an article therebetween while a label is being extended'about said article and said holder arms by said label applying means, a pair of reciprocable jaw members defining the label afi'lxing station of the machine and adapted to press opposite portions of a partially extended label against respective exposed portions of the article retained on its holder element and to simultaneously compress the deformable article, the upper arm of each holder element comprising a fixed central portion and a pair of pivotally mounted side portions engageable by said reciprocable jaw members during the compression of the deformable article and the extension of the label thereabout, and ejection means operable to remove a labeled article from its supported position on a holder element at a point remote from the label aifixing station, said ejection means comprising a pair of pivoted ejector elements having gripping mem bers acting simultaneously on the deformable article and upon portions of the secured label retained against the upper and lower arms of the holder element, each of said jaw members having a pivoted hinge member normally maintained in substantially horizontal position for reception of a label and defiectable to substantially vertical position upon movement of a loaded holder element to the label affixing station, and means for temporarily arresting said hinge members in deflected vertical position pending passage of a labeled article on its holder element from the label afiixing station.

VINCENT LOBASSO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number I Name Date 1,969,160 Slusher Aug. 7, 1934 2,179,264 Lobasso m Nov. '7, 1939 

